Welcome to Psychological Explanations!

Have you ever wondered why two people can face the exact same stressful situation, but one develops a psychological problem while the other doesn't? In this chapter, we are going to look at the "Why?". We will explore three main ways psychologists explain unipolar depression and addiction: through our genes, our thoughts, and how we learn from the world around us.

Note: This chapter focuses on the theories. For the specific symptoms of these problems or how they are treated, check out the other chapters in Topic 3!


1. Genetic Explanations (Nature)

The genetic explanation sits on the nature side of the psychology debate. It suggests that psychological problems are passed down from parents to children through DNA, just like eye colour or height.

Genes and Unipolar Depression

Psychologists believe that some people are born with a genetic predisposition (a higher chance) of developing depression. This doesn't mean there is one single "depression gene," but rather a combination of genes that might make someone more vulnerable to stress.

Example: If an identical twin has depression, the other twin is much more likely to develop it than a non-identical twin because they share 100% of their genes.

Genes and Addiction

Similarly, genes can explain why some people become addicted to substances or activities (like gambling) more easily than others. Some people might have genes that affect how their brain reacts to dopamine (the "feel-good" chemical). If your brain doesn't naturally produce much dopamine, you might be more likely to seek out addictive substances to get that "buzz."

Evaluating Genetic Explanations

Strengths:

  • Scientific Evidence: There is lots of research (like twin studies) that shows a clear link between family history and the risk of mental health problems.
  • Removes Blame: It suggests that the problem is biological, which can help reduce the "stigma" or shame a person might feel.

Weaknesses:

  • Reductionist: It is reductionist because it tries to explain a very complex human experience by looking only at tiny genes, ignoring the person's life experiences.
  • Deterministic: It suggests that if you have the "bad" genes, you are destined to have the problem, which isn't always true. Many people with the genes never develop the disorder.

Quick Takeaway: Genes give us the "blueprint," but they aren't the whole story. They explain our biological vulnerability.


2. Cognitive Theory (Depression)

The Cognitive approach is all about how we think. It suggests that depression isn't caused by what happens to us, but by how we interpret what happens to us.

Faulty Thinking and Schemas

People with depression often have negative schemas. A schema is like a mental "package" of information about the world. If you have a negative schema about yourself, you will ignore the good things and only focus on the bad things.

Cognitive theory suggests depressed people suffer from:

  • Cognitive Biases: Thinking errors, such as "catastrophising" (expecting the worst possible thing to happen).
  • The Negative Triad: Negative thoughts about the Self ("I am useless"), the World ("Everyone hates me"), and the Future ("Nothing will ever get better").

Evaluating Cognitive Theory

Strengths:

  • Empowering: It suggests that if we can change our thinking, we can "cure" the depression. This is the basis for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
  • Evidence: Many studies show that people with depression really do think differently and more negatively than those without it.

Weaknesses:

  • Cause or Effect?: It is hard to tell if negative thoughts cause depression, or if the depression comes first and causes the negative thoughts.
  • Ignores Biology: It doesn't look at the role of brain chemicals or genes at all.

Memory Tip: Think of Cognitive Theory as looking through "dark-tinted glasses." Everything looks gloomy because of the lenses you are wearing (your thoughts), not because the sun isn't shining.


3. Learning Theory (Addiction)

Learning theory sits on the nurture side of the debate. It suggests that addiction isn't something you are born with, but something you learn from your environment.

Operant Conditioning

This is learning through consequences. If you do something and the result is "rewarding," you will do it again.

  • Positive Reinforcement: Taking a drug makes someone feel relaxed or happy. They like the feeling, so they repeat the behaviour.
  • Negative Reinforcement: Someone might drink alcohol to stop feeling anxious. Because the alcohol "takes away" the bad feeling, they are more likely to drink again when they feel stressed.

Social Learning Theory (SLT)

We also learn by watching others, especially role models (parents, celebrities, or popular peers). If a teenager sees their "cool" older sibling smoking and getting attention for it, they may imitate that behaviour to get the same reward.

Evaluating Learning Theory

Strengths:

  • Explains why people start: It does a great job of explaining the "first time" someone tries a substance (e.g., peer pressure or curiosity).
  • Practical Applications: If a behaviour is learned, it can be "unlearned." This helps in creating treatments where rewards are given for staying clean.

Weaknesses:

  • Ignores Individual Differences: Not everyone who tries a drug becomes addicted. Learning theory doesn't explain why some people can "stop" while others can't.
  • Ignores Biology: It focuses so much on the environment that it forgets how much the brain's physical reaction to a drug matters.

Summary Table

Use this to keep the explanations straight in your head!

Explanation: Genes
Problem: Depression & Addiction
Key Idea: Inherited vulnerability (Nature).

Explanation: Cognitive Theory
Problem: Depression
Key Idea: Negative thoughts, schemas, and the Negative Triad.

Explanation: Learning Theory
Problem: Addiction
Key Idea: Reinforcement (rewards) and watching role models (Nurture).


Common Mistake Alert!

Don't confuse Cognitive Theory with Learning Theory. Remember: Cognitive is about what happens inside your head (thoughts), while Learning is about what happens outside in the world (rewards and role models).

Quick Check:

Can you name one strength and one weakness for the genetic explanation of addiction? If you can't, scroll back up and have another look!